Edito’s note: The following lists of participants have been amended since the original publication of this article. Last-minute substitutions were made.
Morrison Athletic Boosters sponsored a laugh-out-loud fundraiser on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Morrison High School,643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison, IL. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Dairyland Donkey Basketball took over the gymnasium. Morrison Athletic Booster Arnie Vegter stated on Wednesday, November 18, “Just over 500 tickets were sold.” Monies are “for the general use of athletic programs.” He added the last donkey basketball fundraiser “was in the 90’s.” On Thursday, November 19, LuEllen Lee reported, “over $1800 was raised.”
A “Kiss a Donkey Contest” started the evening. During the week there had been cans at each school, to collect money–as a vote for the favorite person to kiss a donkey. Gregg Dolan, Athletic Director, was the highest fund raiser, besting Jan Scott, Jr. High Teacher, and Jennifer Oetting, Northside and Southside Elementary Principal.
There were two rounds of play and a championship game.
In the first game the Morrison Firemen took on Morrison Area Businesses. The Fire Department prevailed, 6 to 2.
- Players for the Morrison Firemen were John Bielema, Brian Tichler, Tim West, Joe Bielema, Rob Vegter, Toby King, and Dave Benters.
- Players for the Morrison Business team included LeAnn Schaefer and Laurel Decker, LeAnn’s Dance Connection; Erin James, Extreme Image Salon; Angie VanderVinne, Farmers Insurance; April Pohren, Windsor Manor; Allie Renkes, Scooby-Do’s Pet Grooming; Ilirijana Dzeladini, Family Chef; Dr. Bradley Yaklich, Vision Source..
Left-to-right are VanderVinne (immobile), Renkes (trying to remount), Bielema (listing to the right), and Dzeladini (walking her donkey.)
In the second game the Morrison Teachers challenged the Morrison Athletic Boosters. The Boosters won 8 to 6 in an overtime.
- Players for the Morrison Teachers were Gwenn Rickertsen; Tyler Whitebread; Adam Smith; Shari Elfline; Andrew Tenboer; Lori Kennedy; Korby Paul; Jen Oetting; Bob Stone.
- Players for the Morrison Athletic Boosters were Matt Lee; Darren Vos; Terry Wieneke; Shelly Brackemyer; Tricia Mickley; Susie Ottens; Jen Pruis; Andrea Allen; Kevin Medenblik.
Early in the second round, Rickertsen found it very difficult to get her donkey into play. It is unclear where she intended the animal to go!
Morrison Fire Department faced the Morrison Athletic Boosters in the championship round, with the Boosters taking the win, 4 to 2. Firefighter Tim West, below, had been “gifted” with a bucking donkey. He spent both games trying to mount the little animal; chasing or standing near it; landing on the floor; all the while laughing at himself. West deserves the “Good Sport” award. After the farce ended, West had a tender parting with the gray bane of his existence. Bielema is behind them.
